Leading the Institute of Hispanic Culture through its 35th annual "Noche de las Americas" gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Saturday night are, from left, state Sen. Mario Gallegos as Christopher Columbus, gala chair Miriam Sera, and Paula and Steve Letbetter as Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, 2000. less

Leading the Institute of Hispanic Culture through its 35th annual "Noche de las Americas" gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Saturday night are, from left, state Sen. Mario Gallegos as Christopher Columbus, ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Special To The Chronicle

Leading the Institute of Hispanic Culture through its 35th annual... Photo-3584014.50642 - Houston Chronicle

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State Sen. Mario Gallegos, left, chats with former City Councilman Felix Fraga in front of "Drive-by Art: Hispanic Murals from Houston's East End," a photo series on display now at the Julia Ideson Building on the main Houston Public Library complex, 2001. less

State Sen. Mario Gallegos, left, chats with former City Councilman Felix Fraga in front of "Drive-by Art: Hispanic Murals from Houston's East End," a photo series on display now at the Julia Ideson Building on ... more

Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., D-Houston, has makeup applied before going on the air on Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, in Albuquerque, N.M. He is one of the 11 Texas Senate Democrats opposed to congressional redistricting who remain in New Mexico to break a quorum in Austin, Texas. less

Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., D-Houston, has makeup applied before going on the air on Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, in Albuquerque, N.M. He is one of the 11 Texas Senate Democrats opposed to congressional redistricting ... more

Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., D-Houston, makes his moves toward a crowded doorway after a news conference Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, in Albuquerque, N.M. Gallegos and the other senators were on their way to meet with members of the American GI Forum. Gallegos is one of the 11 Texas Senate Democrats opposed to congressional redistricting who remain in New Mexico to break a quorum in Austin, Texas. less

Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., D-Houston, makes his moves toward a crowded doorway after a news conference Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, in Albuquerque, N.M. Gallegos and the other senators were on their way to meet with ... more

Houston State Senator Mario Gallegos holding his 7-week-old grandson, Jake Anthony Gallegos, with wife, Theresa Gallegos, listen as state Senator Rodney Ellis speaks at welcome home ceremony at Wheeler Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003. The senators are two of the Democrats who spent a month in Albuquerque trying to block congressional redistricting. less

State Sen. Mario Gallegos, Jr., left, sits at his computer with a screen saver with himself and his 17-month-old grandson Jake Gallegos during Wednesday's Senate session in the Texas Senate Chamber in the Texas State Capital in Austin, Jan. 12, 2005. less

State Sen. Mario Gallegos, Jr., left, sits at his computer with a screen saver with himself and his 17-month-old grandson Jake Gallegos during Wednesday's Senate session in the Texas Senate Chamber in the Texas ... more

Local dignataries were on hand for the reopening of the San Jacinto Monument elevator, one of several renovations to the historical museum. Doing the ribbon-cutting honors are state Sen. Mario Gallegos, state Rep. Wayne Smith, museum Chairwoman Sarita Hixon and museum President Larry Spasic, 2006. less

Local dignataries were on hand for the reopening of the San Jacinto Monument elevator, one of several renovations to the historical museum. Doing the ribbon-cutting honors are state Sen. Mario Gallegos, state ... more

Photo: Fannie Williams, For The Chronicle

Local dignataries were on hand for the reopening of the San Jacinto... Photo-3584008.50642 - Houston Chronicle

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Texas state Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., left, Rick Jaramillo and state Rep. Rick Noriega chat at the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans' annual gala in Houston on Oct. 6, 2006.

Texas state Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., left, Rick Jaramillo and state Rep. Rick Noriega chat at the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans' annual gala in Houston on Oct. 6, 2006.

Laurie Trevino and Mario Gallegos embrace after the senator met with Robby Trevino Sr. and his wife. “Because of this young man, I am here,” Gallegos said of Robby Jr., whose unexpected death led to a liver transplant for the senator. less

Laurie Trevino and Mario Gallegos embrace after the senator met with Robby Trevino Sr. and his wife. “Because of this young man, I am here,” Gallegos said of Robby Jr., whose unexpected death led to a liver ... more